Ford has enjoyed a long commitment to motorsport, achieving significant success globally. However, nowhere was this approach better demonstrated than in the development of its Mustang Boss 302. It was designed to compete in the cut-and-thrust Trans Am series, which it did with distinction. The Boss 302 is one of the heroes of the classic world, with spotless examples commanding impressive prices. Our 1970 feature car doesn’t meet that criteria, but with its body now returned to a pristine state, it is ready for a new owner to recapture its former glory. The Boss is listed here on eBay in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. Bidding sits below the reserve at $16,400, although there is a BIN option of $35,000.

Ford performed several facelifts on its First Generation Mustang, with many enthusiasts agreeing that cars produced immediately following the 1969 update to be amongst the most striking and attractive. Every dimension increased, but the car remained true to its roots. This 1970 Mustang Boss 302 started life clad in Candy Apple Red paint, although the seller indicates it fell upon hard times. The body was riddled with rust when they took possession, and returning it to a pristine state was a significant undertaking. They handed the car to the professionals at Peterson Restorations LLC, located in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. The company specializes in restoring First Generation Mustang, and many hours and thousands of dollars later, this bodyshell is as solid as the day it left the line. Their attention to detail is apparent when assessing the panel gaps, which are among the tightest and most consistent you will find on a Mustang of this vintage. The car requires basic surface preparation before receiving a fresh coat of paint, and the potential value of this classic will probably lead the winning bidder to apply the factory shade. The underside is as spotless as the exterior, and the seller includes several boxes of parts that should help the new owner to piece this puzzle back together. The sparkling new Magnum 500 wheels and BF Goodrich tires will provide the perfect finishing touch to an exterior that should have no trouble turning heads.

Ford’s Boss 302 V8 is a legendary motor that helped propel the Mustang to racing success. It produced an “official” 290hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque, which was fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Its ¼-mile ET of 15 seconds probably doesn’t sound impressive, but it is worth remembering that the drag strip wasn’t this car’s natural home. Ford designed it for circuit racing, and the engine’s high-revving nature allowed the car to top 133mph. Potential buyers must accept that this Mustang is a roller, with its original V8 and four-speed distant memories. It retains its 9″ rear end, and the suspension is full of shiny new components. That begs the question of what path the buyer might pursue when they park this gem in their workshop. Bolting a more modern powerplant under the hood is possible, and doing so would not come at the expense of molesting a numbers-matching classic. However, a brief online search uncovered a freshly rebuilt Boss 302 date-coded for 1970. It represents a significant investment at nearly $18,000, but purists might find it irresistible. This car can never command the stratospheric price often seen with vehicles featuring their original drivetrain components, but its potential value, once restored to its factory specifications, could justify the expense.

The Mustang’s interior restoration hasn’t progressed beyond refinishing the seat frames. The parts collection includes some interior trim items, but they require careful inspection to determine what is serviceable on a high-end build like this. A retrim is the only alternative, but the availability of kits in various forms shouldn’t make that choice difficult. The seller includes a Marti Report, which will guide the winning bidder to return this area of the car to its original form.

Tackling someone’s unfinished project build isn’t for the faint-hearted, and some enthusiasts will immediately dismiss classics with that type of history. However, this 1970 Mustang Boss 302 could be an exception to the rule because the work performed is of a high standard that shouldn’t hide any nasty surprises. The shopping list for this build will be extensive, requiring a thick wallet to achieve the standard this car deserves. The new owner has choices to make, and none are likely to be easy. Would you complete this project as a restomod, source a different engine to bolt under the hood, or throw caution to the wind, bite the bullet, and buy the Boss 302 V8 mentioned earlier? I know which I’d choose, but I’m not the one spending the money! Will you?